[REVIEW] Sofirn C8A "XP-L2 2,000 lumen Hot Rod" (XP-L2, 1x18650) (Pictures, Beamshots, etc.)

It was. The cell that came with my C8 trip is differently wrapped, but didn’t look too closely. If it’s 3400mAH, it might be a panny-B of sanny-A under the wrap, but my first Sofirn cells measured a tad over 2800mAH like a 30Q would. Quite nice.

Will look later…

Rewrapping cells is a serious business which certain “brands” use to mislead customers and maximize profits. Example: Azaoste 18650 3000mAh 20/40AH Any tests or feedback? :facepalm:

Unfortunately, only a few companies seem to commit to do it right, like KeepPower (I still don't like some of their rewraps) and LiitoKala (goof with the yet untested Lii-40A). I also like the fact it usually is very easy to identify the actual cell OEM with them.

Cheers :-)

Yeah the GA is my cell of choice for any 18650 application where it will fit. I always get great results with it. I also gave away my trusty B cells.

I never even bother with mystery batteries. I just bin them straight away. I may very well have gotten rid of perfectly good cells but I already have plenty of cells so it doesn’t bother me.

I don’t really understand these specs…
(or I don’t understand how throw distance is calculated)

+Official Factory Specs from Sofirn’s Aliexpress site:
C8A….11500cd 200m distance
C8T……9500cd 500m distance

Can lower kcd = longer throw? I always thought it was the opposite…

Isn’t the calculated distance (FL-1 specification) derived from the peak beam intensity/candela rating? (Higher kcd = longer throw)
Distance (m) = square root of (kcd divided by 0.25)

.

Also apparently the C8T’s factory distance spec has mysteriously doubled since Barkuti’s review of it…
+Official Factory Specs shown in Barkuti’s review
C8A….11500cd 200m distance
C8T……9500cd 250m distance

Or, is it a misprint? (should be 95,000cd not 9500cd)

Then it should spec 616m not 500m

….gotta be a misprint

Gotta be a misprint … or one of the numbers is wrong … or they weren’t measured in the same way. Who knows? But yes, cd should increase with throw.

I’m just curious, how much throw would the Sofirn C8A be?

The XP-L2 of the C8A would throw much further than the older Convoy C8 with XM-L2; but will it be able to out-throw a stock Convoy C8 XP-L Hi?

The Sofirn C8A has a rated max current of 4.5A versus the 2.8A of the stock Convoy C8 XP-L Hi, so lumens-wise, definitely the C8A wins, but in terms of “throwing” how would it compare?

Actually with a fresh-off-the-charger Sony VTC6, I measured nearly 6A (using UT210E ammeter + copper wire) on Turbo mode for the C8A.
With my entry-level DMM, the tailcap current registered 4.5A (which is the manufacturer spec).

Bump , I’m curious too .

I have more work to do here still…

but after quickly comparing the KD C8.2 (with the XHP 50.2), my latest C8S Sofirn (host with Lexel’s Bistro driver using the SST-40, and tonight (for the first time) my NEW C8A:

The C8S custom job throws better than I expected (no de-dome) and has a nice beam with side light to spare
The KD has a WIDE beam with lots of lumens and very nice coverage, but can’t quite keep up with the others for throw
The C8A has about the same throw as the C8S custom host (big surprise!) and a more narrow beam of course

And the C8A is running on about 5+ amps (Vs. the SST in the C8S custom running closer to 8 amps) with darn near the same throw and output! (again, I’m kinda blown away tonight by this C8A!) If I didn’t know better, I’d guess I had a C8T in my hands when it reached out there an honest 200+ yards tonight (on a good 30Q topped off).

My C8S host build was about $11 (host kit) + $4 SST40 + $15 Bistro driver- so $30. And IF I slice the SST40 it will probably throw further than the C8A de-domed, but as it is- this C8A is comparing nicely to these other lights— but right at 1/2 the price), I’m wondering how many C8As might be in my future?

I am learning more about throw and I’ve just started in on shaving domes (XP-L2s, XPLs, SST40s) for these and some C8F triples I’m working on. Again more time is indeed needed (and I’ll make a more thorough report when I get done with these builds). But this C8A is really impressive in every way to me this evening!

Not too shabby for a factory light right out of the box! :+1:

C8S? How many different Sofirn C8’s are there now!

Here’s a summary of what I know:

C8T: Single emitter XP-L HI (Thrower model)
C8A: Single emitter XP-L2
C8F: Triple XP-L

But what is the C8S? all I’m seeing for that is a host.

The C8A is definitely an excellent value.

Thanks for the comparison to your SST-40 build. I think I’m going to use that emitter for a build with the C8F host & driver I ordered from Sofirn a few days ago.

I believe it’s referring to the Thorfire C8S, which uses XM-L2.

Sorry, had to sleep, then wake up, then drink coffee, then— ahem, anyway… I’m back now :wink:

I refer to the C8S as that is the internal part number for Sofirn’s host they sell on AE. And to confuse us more they offer it in TWO versions:

1) with the standard 17mm driver threads
2) with a 20.8mm driver threads

I bought #2 as I was planning to use the NEW boost driver (previously discussed with Lexel— he has his NEW boost driver- still TBD- he’s working on and we thought it would be done by now). Interestingly, this host CAME with an MCPBC for a larger LED (I was originally planning an XHP.35 HI or shaved XHP.50 de-domed), so that worked out great. But after some more reading on BLF, I saw the SST-40 had some good numbers, fit the larger led MCPCB trace mounts (like the XHPs) and worked on the existing TA Bistro driver Lexel had in stock. So I went ahead and got the SST-40 from KD, the TA driver from Lexel and built it right up last week.

My observation of all these C8s is that they all have unique attributes: some I’m interested in for some things, and some I’m not. However, I’m also building for gifting to several friends and family. So… as “NEATO” as I find a lot of Bistro and Narsil features to be… I realize most of my future light recipients are going to be (and remain) muggles.

And so this is why I bought the stock C8A (and like many here before me), when I “played” with it- I fell in love with it last night. The output was fantastic. The throw was unexpectedly LONGER that I thought it would be. It kept up WELL and I’m starting to realize that (more and more) it’s about a good driver that really is needed to turn these things on! Sofirn’s factory driver does this and it does it for a lot less time and money than I was planning to use (modding to get this output level— as MOST oem lights don’t get this kind of output— at… this… price).

So I’ll be buying a few C8As for several friends NOW that I KNOW they have this kind of performance. That WAS the whole reason to gift these— send something better (I had to build to get) to them, so they’d have a light FOR LIFE. And NOW I’m thinking it’s easier to just buy them already made (very, very well) and not worry about building for this level or performance— Again: at… this …price!

Okay so C8S is just a single emitter host.

Maybe the S is for Single emitter (or Sofirn), instead of just calling it a C8 host, it denotes a Single emitter C8 host (or a Sofirn C8 host).

But what is the F in C8F? That could have been C8T for Triple, but we already have the T for Thrower.

So the F may just be for FUN.

Hmmm.

:stuck_out_tongue:

Or F hard to build :expressionless: I just posted some tips in the C8F review post from DB Customs. There are a few things about this host that are “tricky” (just as Dale said).

One thing about the C8A that got my brain cells re-mobilized last night was that it is significantly LIGHTER (in weight) than the C8F (which really is a boat anchor) compared to the C8A. Sofirn left some metal in that head (probably for additional heat sink).

As I’m looking for C8 sized lights for my gun (pig hunting at night) the throwers have a place (as do the floods)… depends on the hunt. So I plan to select the light for the hunt as conditions dictate— and I’ll have some GOOD options. But the C8A (and my C8(s) custom with the SST-40 - I’m going to shave) are going to be probable “throw” lights for the gun— if the shaved C8F’s can’t keep up- we’ll see.

I need to finish mounting some shaved XPLs, XP-L2s, and when they get here- some XPL HIs in my several C8F hosts. Then I can compare to the throw of this lighter weight C8A (with it’s larger and deeper reflector)— which out-throws the C8F I now have (in an XP-L2 build with un-shaved LEDs, but this is definitely a flood light). I am a day away from my second C8F build (with shaved XP-L2s) to compare to also. Not sure how they will turn out, but I had to try!

Anyway, the C8A throws further than I thought it would and so I am having thoughts of a higher power driver and an XHP led in my next C8(s) host build out. :smiling_imp: And… I HAVE a C8T ALSO bought on the AliExpress BIG sale day (last week) on the way. I am wondering if the driver in the C8A is the SAME driver as used in the C8T— guess I’ll find out. The specs have the C8A driver putting out MORE current— so might have to flip the LEDS and power-up the XPL HI in the C8T (using the C8A’s driver) in this case. Have to wait (as always for parts) and see! :nerd_face:

Tried to order this C8A several times from the AliX link but my payment won’t go through. Maybe my CC has blocked this site now even though I have ordered from them several times. Looks like it would perform like the Astrolux C8 or even better

I was wondering if the A & T driver were the same too. If you buy it separately, it says A ,T driver . Yet the current spec for the two lights are different, even though they both have the same emitter, except one is de domed. Can de doming change the current?

Just got an email from QiDong Yang at Sofirn- he says there are one in the same. That confuses me too because the current draw spec is very different for the two lights. So this must mean the LEDs are drawing different loads- right?

Any “EE” type BLFers around to confirm?

What’re the chips in each? L vs L2 might have different Vf and would draw more/less current if FET-driven.

C8A = XP-L2
C8T = XLP HI

Here is the link to the driver they sell (claiming it is used for both lights- and confirmed by QiDong this morning via email to me):

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Sofirn-New-C8A-C8T-Driver-2-Groups-Circuit-Board-Anti-reverse-LED-Driver-Chip-mode-memory/2933049_32834504322.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.71bc1196NaHk4v